Does caffeine shampoo work for hair loss? Doctor weighs in

Have you ever given your hair a caffeinated shampoo treatment, but were disappointed with the result?

A medical expert is ready to debunk whether its effectiveness is just a “myth.” Designed to stimulate hair growth using caffeine extract, caffeine shampoo has become a staple in supermarkets and pharmacies in recent years.

The first of its kind hit the shelves when a 2007 study found that caffeine stimulated hair follicles to regrow in a laboratory dish, leading researchers to create a shampoo that hopes to replicate this effect on the human scalp. Lloyds Pharmacy had previously examined all negative reviews for four caffeinated shampoo brands on Amazon and found that 41% of users found these brands ineffective at promoting hair growth.

In this situation, the pharmacy Doctor Bhavini Shah To clarify how caffeine shampoo works, potential side effects, and viable alternatives. It remains “unclear” whether the shampoo actually works, according to LloydsPharmacy. “There is not enough evidence to prove that it works on scalp hair.”

LloydsPharmacy adds: “There is a lot of debate as to whether caffeine shampoos can actually match the success of this first study to prevent hair loss. Generally speaking, caffeine shampoos are not approved by the medical community to treat hair loss. Instead, most doctors in the UK have relied on clinical trials.” “We recommend proven medical treatments such as finasteride or minoxidil.”

Meanwhile, hair transplantation and restoration surgeon Dr. Asi Peretz is also one of the regulars of hair transplantation. tiktok With his account Trichogenics (@trichogenics), he focused on the effectiveness of some shampoos in combating hair loss. In one of his videos on the subject, he stated: “There are many shampoos on the market that promise to bring your hair back.”

He continued: “There are some shampoos that can reduce DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels in the scalp, like caffeinated shampoos and even ketoconazole. But this won’t bring your hair back to the levels you’d expect. It won’t bring back balding areas, but with a little intensity it might help a little.”

Only two treatments for hair loss have been clinically validated in the UK: Finasteride, available in tablet form, and Minoxidil, available in lotion or foam. Practitioner Dr Shah sheds light on why Finasteride may be a superior choice for those struggling with hair loss: “While caffeine shampoo can improve scalp circulation and stimulate hair follicles, its effects are generally less potent and less scientifically proven than finasteride.”

Further elucidating the mechanism behind Finasteride, Dr Shah adds: “Finasteride works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. High DHT levels cause damage to hair follicles.” Finasteride helps prevent hair loss by reducing the amount of DHT in the scalp and may even stimulate new hair growth.”

another one tiktok But user Helena (@helenajekul) praised the effects of the caffeine shampoo on her hair, revealing in a video that she had witnessed a “huge improvement” after 18 months of consistent use. “Oh my god, so much new hair is growing,” she exclaimed, noting: “It also feels so thick in the ponytail.”

And a second person who swears by its effectiveness – TikTok user Kathleen Ayald (@kathleenayald) – expressed her positive experience: “I’ve been using this for 2 months and it really helps. I shampoo my hair with Dr. Wolff Alpecin caffeine shampoo, Massage it and leave it for 2 minutes.”

However, experts at LloydsPharmacy have issued a warning advising users to be wary of potential side effects associated with caffeine shampoos. “Scan negative reviews for caffeine shampoos and you’ll also see some mention of unpleasant side effects, such as redness and burning of the scalp. While it’s important not to believe every word of a negative review, you should keep in mind that your hair and scalp may react badly to caffeine shampoo,” they advise.

“Please check the label of your chosen shampoo for side effects before use and consult a doctor at the first sign of a problem.”